Latham’s summer program is designed to give you a sense of life at the firm as a junior associate. As a summer associate, you will receive work assignments through the unassigned program, allowing you the opportunity to explore our 50+ practice groups. Summer associates are also invited to participate in any training and CLE courses that are offered to our associates.

Like a newly hired associate, you will be assigned a firm mentor who is available to answer questions and help guide you through your summer. The summer associate review process is similar to the associate review process. Work reviews are read to you verbatim and a clear message regarding progress and standing is given.

Summer Academy – A highlight of the summer program, it brings together summer associates from across the United States. It provides an overview of the firm and its culture through training seminars and social events with Latham lawyers.

Summer associates also have many opportunities to get to know Latham associates and partners. A typical day may include a lunchtime practice group presentation or a casual lunch out with a small group of attorneys, and a typical week will include social activities which provide opportunities to meet and mingle with Latham attorneys in a fun and relaxed setting.

Overseas Opportunities

Latham hires summer associates in each of its US offices and in Hong Kong, London, and Singapore.

Latham & Watkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity and equal opportunity enables Latham & Watkins to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms. Click here to learn more about our commitment.

Generally, Latham awards progression credit plus US$50,000 to clerks at federal courts, the highest court in any state and the District of Columbia, and the Delaware Court of Chancery. Clerks from the US Supreme Court are given two years of credit (if they have clerked for at least two years) and a competitive bonus.

Post-employment judicial clerks are treated on a case-by-case basis for class progression credit, salary and bonus purposes. To be eligible for credit and a bonus, a post-employment clerkship must commence within the first three years of practice and the associate should generally be leaning towards a controversy practice.

If you are currently clerking and are interested in Latham, please contact the Attorney Recruiting Contact in the office in which you are interested.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Latham’s commitment to diversity and equal opportunity enables the firm to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms. Learn more about our commitment.

Important Note to Legal Placement Agents

Please note that we do not pay placement fees or referral bonuses for judicial clerks, including post-employment clerks. If you have any questions concerning our placement policies or wish to discuss a potential working relationship with the firm, please call one of our practice office Attorney Recruiting Contacts.

Latham understands that choosing a practice area right out of law school may be difficult for many new associates. So we don't require it. Instead, Latham takes a flexible approach to associate staffing through our hallmark Unassigned Associate Program for US associates.

Watch a video of Adam Golberg to learn more about his experience
in the Unassigned Associates Program

On arrival, new associates are not assigned to a particular department or practice; rather, they enjoy the opportunity to explore any number of practices, working with and learning from a number of experienced lawyers before choosing a department that best fits their skills and interests. During this unassigned period, projects are allocated based on associate practice preferences, interest in a particular matter or supervisor, and availability. As their work becomes more focused, associates are eligible to join a department on a trial basis as early as their second year at the firm.

Through the Unassigned Associate Program, lawyers have the opportunity to gain experience in several different practice areas before committing to any one department. This gives associates more control over their careers, allowing them to sample different types of work and gain exposure to different areas of law early on. The Unassigned Associate Program provides flexibility for associates to direct the course of their careers, taking into account client needs.

During the law school interview season, Latham & Watkins conducts interviews with JD candidates around the country for summer and first-year associate positions.

In keeping with Latham’s “one-firm” firm culture, we typically send a team of lawyers who are committed to outreach at that particular school to interview students on behalf of all of our offices.

Latham also participates in job fairs and interview programs throughout the year and sponsor various on-campus information sessions, substantive presentations and receptions. If your school is not listed on Latham’s US Law School Interviews and Events Calendar — or if you are unable to attend our on-campus interview sessions and you would like to pursue opportunities with Latham — please forward a cover letter, resume and transcript to the Attorney Recruiting Contact for the practice office in which you are interested.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Latham’s commitment to diversity and equal opportunity enables the firm to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms. Learn more about our commitment.